Since the inception of the West Africa Exams Council to conduct external exams in the country many years ago, it has been exposed to numerous exam problems which have put our educational system in to a funny position.
For many years ago WAEC is the nationally recognized body that has the prerogative to decide the future of school going pupils who opt to pursue higher learning in tertiary institutions including colleges and universities.
As the name implies, the mandate of WAEC is within the Anglophone West African countries including, Ghana, Nigeria, The Gambia, Liberia and Sierra Leone. There is no doubt in the fact that many of these countries have over the years tested the good and bad sides of this institution.
Sadly, those who wasted many times on re-sitting the O’ Level exams and the newly introduced WASSCE to get requirement to forge ahead with their education always have bad experience of this institution.
On the other hand, those who are fortunate to pass WAEC exams at a go, always smile along the safe side of the outfit.
Interestingly, WAEC used to be a very respectable institution in this country in all aspects, but that former glory and nomenclature is rapidly eroding over the years as a result of many crucibles.
Regrettably, many despondent citizens have over the years condemned WAEC for most of the problems that the country is facing in terms of effective learning when it falls within the purview of WAEC. It is no secret to say that Sierra Leone was once referred to as Athens of West Africa and citadel of learning where people from other countries around the world used to come to attain sober western education. But it is frustrating to recall that that glorious history of our country is no more. In fact, we were considered as first in almost everything in the sub region. Although there are so many factors to postulate our abysmal down fall, yet, many concerned citizens in recent days apportioned blames on the West African Exams Council WAEC that is in control of external exams for falling below expectation, which is why accusing fingers are pointed on it, for leakages of question papers as well as some other exams malpractices. But the unfortunate side of the story is majority of students these days heavily rely on foreign materials and mobile phones before they enter into exams halls. And this stealing of knowledge has been inculcated in many pupils and has been deeply rooted to the point that they have very little or no time to concentrate on their studies to adequately prepare themselves for any external exams. And honestly, all these negative scenarios are not new to the Council, the Ministry of Education and almost everybody in the country, but nothing has been positively done to salvage it instead, things are going from bad to worse.
Despite the fact that government pays huge money to WAEC for candidates to take any of their exams, yet, the Council determines the fate of the pupils and even government which invariably means that the council controls government and everything. The most unfortunate situation of recent is the alarming number of thirty four thousands [34,000] results that are allegedly being held by WAEC for reason best known to them. The truth is any sober minded citizens will describe the attitude of WAEC as a complete mockery of government’s most highly touted quality educational for all.
On the other hand, government should rethink the attitude of WAEC for which many citizens have been constantly agitating for another outlets like in Ghana, Nigeria and other West African countries who have bodies that have some responsibilities like WAEC. And until government limits WAEC’s age old monopoly by providing other outlets to determine the progress of our future leaders to higher institutions our educational system will still remain shrouded in farrago of criticism by the general populace who always remain with the doubt to ask the question as who is in control the government or WAEC?